Plan to see Alaska northern lights - will this work?

[Dan Druff]

Always wanted to see the northern lights, and some early research brought me to the conclusion that Fairbanks is the best bet, in late Feb or early March.

So here is the plan:

1) Watch 10 day forecasts for Fairbanks starting around Feb 20

2) If it's clear and not too cold (high above 0) 10 days out, book a flight for then

2a) If flight is too expensive, wait a few days and repeat from step 1

3) Stay 3 nights in Fairbanks with rented car

4) If its clear at night, drive to best viewing spots out of town around 10pm


I think I should have a good shot at seeing them with this plan.

What do you guys think?

[Hockey Guy]

I know that the further North you go is not better.

There is a band about 100 miles wide that circles the N. Hemisphere & goes through Fort MacMurray & where I work that is the best viewing & on clesr nights we get some great shows. We did a northern lights tour out of FT. Mac. a few years ago & got extremely lucky & saw a terrific show with different colors dancing & lots of activity.

Highly recommended.

Check out www.spaceweather.com

I go back to work tomorrow & have a few more websites saved on my work desktop for you to check out.

[Sloppy Joe]

I'm not sure as to the plan but absolutely try and see it if possible.

I camped out between Laramie and Cheyenne, Wyoming this past weekend as they were supposed to be visible. For a good hour or so we were treated to a spectacular show of northern lights under a blanket of stars. It's amazing to be in a place where no street lights/city lights impede the night sky.

Everything else about this state is fucking awful including overrated Yellowstone Park. The Tetons are nice, though. I think living abroad spoiled me for scenery.

[Lord of the Fraud]

Northern Lights have been on my list for years but so far yet to have the pleasure. Didn't even know they were viewable from North America tbh, always thought it was Scandinavia only.


Sun is also the most active its been for years at the moment too. Now is a good time.

[bukowski72]

I saw the Northern Lights by chance in Northern Michigan when I was 14. Still a treasured memory.

[Dan Druff]

Everyone who knows Alaska well seems to say that Fairbanks is in a good area for the auroras, and it's also not difficult to get there. So there's no question that's where I'm going.

I was wondering if any of you had experience trying to catch the auroras around there. I am running into some kiljoys on other forums telling me that I need 2 weeks up there to expect to see them, but I think they are probably discounting my plan to purposely go when the weather is clear.

I don't have 2 weeks to waste on this effort, but I'll give it a solid 3-4 days and hope I hit something.

This is really something I want to see at some point, and I'm tired of saying "One day I'll do it". Since the cost isn't too high (most of it is the flight to Fairbanks), why not give it a shot?

[Hockey Guy]

Yeah, Fairbanks seems to be a good choice & the band that I mentioned earlier goes right near/through there.



One bit of advice would be to make sure your trip isn't planned during a full moon & go when there is no moon if possible. the darker the better.

Here's a few more links I have:

http://www.aurorawatch.ca/
http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/pmap/index.html
http://www.gi.alaska.edu/AuroraForecast

[delaware]

its way to cold for you.your blood is thin from the warm vegas weather. you could freez to death that time of year

[Brittney Griner's Clit]

No matter what you will be underwhelmed Druff. These pictures of the northern lights is certainly never how I ever saw them before.

[limitles]

Iceland is supposed to be top, top and they have one hell of an airline.

They offer kosher pemmican.

Also, there are active volcanoes, a nice city, hot springs and two blondes for every guy.

And they take bitcoins

[limitles]

Iceland's northern lights. From the Secret Life of Walter Mitty

[John Stamos]

Druff, did you ever end up doing this? I am going to Iceland later this year and just wanted to know how they looked.

[Dan Druff]

Nope, and it's getting too late for 2017 now.

But I will consider this for 2018.

[Mintjewlips]

No need to travel anywhere if a coronal mass ejection from the sun strikes earth, you will see all kinds of lights in the sky, along with the fall of civilization. But being the cheap jew you are im sure free is still better.

[wrenchjockey]

Follow Dr Tamitha Skov on Twitter.

Thank me later.

[Lord of the Fraud]

No need to travel anywhere if a coronal mass ejection from the sun strikes earth, you will see all kinds of lights in the sky, along with the fall of civilization. But being the cheap jew you are im sure free is still better.

I love all shit like that, always have. Doomsday is very real.

So many natural events in space and on earth could potentially wipe us out. Though chances any of it happening in the 'here and now' are ridiculously miniscule.

Still doesn't stop a bunch of doomporn merchants 'genuinely' fretting over a 0.001% chance that something BIG will happen during their lifetime... That's not even taking into account the amount of people who wake up each morning believing that today is the day Nibiru will finally be announced to the sheeple masses.

[WillieMcFML]

i remember the night sky in haiti where there is almost zero light pollution, and seeing the milky way and HELLA stars

i don't think the northern lights could top that

it's much more mind blowing to me to see millions/billions year old light wearing shorts on a tropical island than seeing some light refractions in zero degree weather

[lewfather]

i remember the night sky in haiti where there is almost zero light pollution, and seeing the milky way and HELLA stars

i don't think the northern lights could top that

it's much more mind blowing to me to see millions/billions year old light wearing shorts on a tropical island than seeing some light refractions in zero degree weather

yea I've seen similar shit and also up north with zero light pollution is god but you really only see the northern lights april-august, not exactly 0 degree weather.

but I get your point

[PLOL]

i remember the night sky in haiti where there is almost zero light pollution, and seeing the milky way and HELLA stars

[lewfather]

also real quick RIP delaware, not for nothing but I remember giving him that avatar.

del is god